Hey guys, I recently bought an 05 Rx-8. It seems that the oil was last changed with 10w30 oil. According to you guys and the manual, this car wants 5w30/20 if im not mistaken. Should I be worried? Also, if i were to "top up" the oil in between oil changes, should the oil match the oil already present in the car in terms of brand, type(5w30/5w20), etc? Oh yeah, I am an AZ resident....not sure if that justifies the 10w30.....

Thanks for any help,

-beef

 

Hey welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll enjoy the car and the social club that goes with it. You're okay with the 10W30 oil but if it worries you then take it back and get it changed out. If you run 10W30 I'd top up with the same until your next change.
What's the weather like this time of year? It's snowing a bit today up here...

 

hot , it is transitioning too quickly to the hot summer heat AZ is known for. Good thing ill have adequate transportation from one a/c location to another, haha..
appreciate the help.

 

I guess thicker oil would be adequate for intense summer heat, then change it back to 5w20 during colder temperatures. Keep using the same weight if you want, the brand I don't think matters. Normally high mileage would require thicker oil. I recently changed all my fluids to Royal purple and I'm not getting the funny smell some people are experiencing in the forum Good luck

 

We don't have "cooler temperatures" in AZ.
Its just hot and hotter.

I run 5w-30, but even 10w-40 would be OK here.

 

5w30 10w30 should be fine in your climate. Not as hot in Ga as it is an Az, but hardly ever "really cold"
As for matching the weights/brands - shouldn't have to worry about it. If you have 10/30 and want to run 5/30 - starting adding 5/30 if you need oil and have it changed to that next change.

 

Welcome to the board. Should be no worries with the oil.

 

I tend to disagree with that. If an engine is maintained, it should not need thicker oil with age. It's not like the old days of babbit rod and main bearings, where the bearing clearances increased with wear.

I know Valvoline pushes their "old car" blend for high mileage vehicles, but that seems to have additives that swell gaskets to prevent leaks, rather than the old STP-type thickeners that might help worn oil rings.

Ken

 

Temp is not as important as the fact that your car burns oil by design. ( think oil injected 2 stroke as an example ) 5w20 burns really clean, so that is what I use.
Or just premix if you want <--- search for it. Lots of opinions on that topic

 

????????????

We have a new one.

 

whew.... I thought you were going to ask about synthetic oil.

You shoudl be fine with that oil...

 

Synthetics are EVIL !!!!! BRAWWwwwwwrRRrrr

 

SynOil pwns jo0!

 

If I lived in a hot climate, I would make sure to use 5W-30. I use it now and I live in coastal California where it doesn't really ever get too hot.

I am not too picky about the oil I put in my car as long as its dino oil and it meets all the highest standards. I change my oil out every 3K miles so it doesn't stay in that long.

 

^ Still can't go wrong with 5-30

 

nah, don't fret...just make sure to keeper on a diet of 5w20 from here out. I'm sure it didn't hurt it all the much.

 

Synthetic does run cooler than conventional oil.


::runs away::

 

sometimes is not what oil you use... but how often you change it

 

I change mine every < 3K miles.

Royal Purple 5w30 here.

As soon as Im done with my 5 Gallon Pail (maybe 3 more changes) then Im gonna try Redline.

FULL SYNTHETIC BABY!

 

Wolf's Head Beeyatch!!!!

http://www.wolfshead.com/products/superDuty.html

 

Save money. If you change your oil every 3k you are throwing money away using synthetic. Ask NYCGPS, he studied oil for several months in with some oil monks in Tibet.

 

For sure 5W-30 over 5W-20 in any climate that can get hot.

 

^^ Yep